Wednesday, August 05, 2020

BRIGG HORSE FAIR 2020 EXPECTED TO GO AHEAD TODAY - AUGUST 5


Brigg Horse Fair 2020 is expected to take place today (Wednesday, August 5) on land near the railway station - despite warnings to the contrary from the authorities who feel it should be cancelled amid the Coronavirus emergency.
Whether the number of horses traded between about 10am and early afternoon reaches the usual level remains to be seen.
Those who choose to attend the historic annual event are urged to observe social distancing at all times.
 



The scenes pictured here outside Wetherspoon's White Horse pub on Monday afternoon (August 3) will remind older town residents of Brigg Horse Fairs held long ago.
These horses and traps were evident on Wrawby Street paving at the very spot where, for decades into the 1960s, the horse fair took place in early August.
Beyond are the Horse Fair Paddock grouped dwellings, whose name requires no explanation.
When the A18 still ran through the town centre, horses, owners, potential buyers and many townsfolk used to gather at the front of the White Horse while trading took place.
This became increasingly difficult, in view of the rising number of vehicles passing through, and the horse fair relocated to the stockmarket area off Cary Lane, where the Tesco store now stands. Latterly, land near the railway station has been used.
Located close to the pub, the Grand Cinema (demolished in the 1970s) was a prominent feature of the street scene while the horse fair was still being held.
The A18 was diverted through here in the early 1990s, paving the way for pedestrianisation of much of the town centre.